The Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador published 2025 foreign direct investment (FDI) statistics showing net FDI inflows of USD 474.8 million, reflecting USD 10,617.9 million of inflows and USD 10,143.1 million of outflows. It emphasised that FDI flow data measure intragroup financial transactions between multinational enterprises in El Salvador and related entities abroad, captured through loans, reinvested earnings and equity contributions, so movements in outflows do not necessarily map directly to changes in productive activity. The central bank linked the high level of 2025 outflows primarily to intercompany debt repayments and profit remittances, with ten large companies accounting for USD 6,838 million (67% of total outflows) across information and communications, manufacturing, financial and insurance activities, trade, and transport. Firms with FDI recorded a new high of USD 1,642.8 million in profits (up 16.8% versus 2024), corresponding to a 13.2% rate of return, while dividends paid reached USD 981.1 million (up 6%). Within the net flow, reinvested earnings contributed USD 661.7 million and equity contributions USD 276.3 million, including USD 208.6 million in real-estate investment by non-residents; the largest sectoral net inflows were in real estate and other services (USD 267.9 million) and financial and insurance activities (USD 180.6 million, with 95% in reinvested earnings).
Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador 2026-04-03
Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador reports USD 474.8 million net FDI inflow in 2025 as outflows were driven by dividend and intercompany debt payments
The Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador reported 2025 net FDI inflows of USD 474.8 million, with USD 10,617.9 million in inflows and USD 10,143.1 million in outflows, largely from intragroup financial transactions rather than changes in productive activity. Outflows were mainly intercompany debt repayments and profit remittances, with ten large companies accounting for 67% of the total. Firms with FDI posted record profits of USD 1,642.8 million and dividends of USD 981.1 million. Reinvested earnings contributed USD 661.7 million and equity contributions USD 276.3 million, with the largest net inflows in real estate and other services, and in financial and insurance activities.